68 Comments
User's avatar
Optimist's avatar

I used not to be a "podcast" person, because I can consume the written word in a fraction of the time, with less distraction.

But I'm finding that your guests are actually worth LISTENING to. There is this additional rich dimension when hearing their thoughts in their own voices. Moreover, I'm being ENTERTAINED! Comparatively, reading a transcript is work.

So please, keep up the conversations with interesting, topical people.

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Stephen Gordon's avatar

Every now and again, the universe unfolds as it should and as you hope it will: this is one of those times.

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Andrew's avatar

Congratulations on your success and thank you Paul for your commitment to balance and thoughtful discourse. We lost something when the fairness doctrine was abandoned in favour of rage farming. The Point:Counter-point approach you reference in today's piece is welcome and helpful.

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Rob Braide's avatar

Hi Paul. Interesting about the podcasting shift. I’m not so much on team podcast. I really enjoy your written narrative. I suppose the best compliment I could pay your work is that yours is one of the very few notifications I have turned on. All the best.

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Erwin Dreessen's avatar

I too would rather read than hear (video w/ cc is fine); a hearing impediment doesn't help... So do continue to improve the transcripts, please. Look at Paul Krugman's -- that would be ideal.

Much appreciate all your output, Paul. Cogratulations on the fabulous growth.

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Ken Schultz's avatar

Erwin, I also have a hearing impediment: my hearing folks tell me that the next step (down, to be sure!) is "profound." I can certainly advise that that adjective does not describe my intellectual progress - although I absolutely use that word for Mr. Wells' work.

In any event, yes, I share your antipathy to verbal thingys. That said, I use headphones (ones suitable for hearing aids) and I periodically repeat a phrase, a question, etc. and then have to re-repeat and re-re-repeat.

Strangely (it is strange!) I find Mr. W's podcasts are worth the effort so I highly recommend that you consume them. In my case, I find that there are not a lot of podcasts that are worth the effort that I must put in, but this is definitely one of them.

Also, make sure that you have the transcript in front of you.

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Lewis Grant's avatar

I basically don't follow the podcasts. But I have no problem with them, as long as you're still putting out frequent enough and high-quality enough written work. No complaints at this point.

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Dave's avatar

I prefer written to audio but not enough to stop paying. I want to see fair and balanced coverage to all sides in the election. Want to see a post on Carney’s conflicts with his stock options-I know they’re in a blind trust but he still has a tremendous conflict. Also can you pick up on Sam Cooper’s reporting on the underground banking system run by the Chinese Triads and the Poloticians love affair with it.

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Charles Kelly's avatar

As a paid subscriber I have been well satisfied with your content. Thank you for your service here

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Richard Flohil's avatar

As a relative newcomer to your Substack, I loved this retrospective — and particularly appreciated the piece on Donovan Woods, When, and if, things get quiet on Parliament Hill, will you write more often about music and music creators?

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Paul Wells's avatar

Guaranteed. Hey, when’s your Red Bird gig in Ottawa? Everything’s always up in air here but I’d like to hear your stories.

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Richard Flohil's avatar

May 11 at 9 p.m. at the Red Bird — here's a link: https://www.showpass.com/richard-flohil-jesse-green/ ...It was arranged by my friend Jesse Greene, who'll sings songs associated with the people I'll be telling stories about. Probably Louis Armstrong, Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, k.d. lang, maybe Billy Connolly. I'm starting the media push next week! It would be so nice to see you there...

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Ken Boessenkool's avatar

Thanks for continuing to enlighten, inform and occasionally infuriate us, Paul. I for one, wouldn’t miss a post.

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Sue Potter's avatar

Congratulations Paul - I like to think what you are doing is journalism with Grace - an old fashioned term but it’s effects we need more of. Thank you.

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Mike's avatar

Hi Paul, you do high QUALITY work. I'm glad it's paying off in the numbers, that's a hopeful sign. I enjoy all the different ways to access the content whether writing or podcast or subatack video. I feel challenged by the variety of the content and it increases my perspective. Glad you can bring on more help to move even further forward. Growing your community will make it harder for people in power to ignore.

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Nobina Robinson's avatar

👏Kudos Paul, well done! in addition to the several modes of engagement you write about in this piece, some of us subscribers sure enjoyed the peanut gallery of your SS Chat on the debates. Since some of the content of the debates was a bit dreary, it was good to be able to keep an eye on the chat thread. Must take a lot for you to have to manage that. So thanks!

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Paul Williams's avatar

Congratulations Mr. Wells. Nice to see a media success story.

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Richard MacDowell's avatar

Don't forget, Paul, that this is a continuation of "quality journalism", for which you have been personally renowned for a very long time. That said, it would be interesting to know the age profile or your readers and viewers. Particularly the paid subscribers.

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Louise Teasdale's avatar

I pay and I am an 85 year old contrarian.

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Robert Newton's avatar

Congrats on the growth of your endeavour. I joined soon after you started and have run the gamut of agreement and rejection of your perspective. Keep up the good work.

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Susan Abbott's avatar

Congratulations! Well deserved. We, the nuance-loving folk, applaud the thoughtfulness.

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